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Ponnambalam
killers
caught
on tape
By
Frederica Jansz
The
Sunday Leader today exposes
stunning details of a taped conversation between two policemen which
reveals the murder of Kumar Ponnambalam.
Police
officer, Sugath alias Shantha Ranasinghe, in this conversation is
speaking with OIC Nuwan Wedasinghe of the Criminal Detective Bureau and
right-hand-man to SSP Bandula Wickremasinghe, former Director (CDB).
This
tape implicates Mahen Ratwatte, son of Gen. Anuruddha Ratwatte, where
Sugath Ranasinghe, a reserve police officer, is speaking with OIC
Wedasinghe who initiated the telephone conversation on behalf of SSP
Bandula Wickremasinghe.
Wickremasinghe
has in a sworn affidavit to The Sunday Leader
already stated that Mahen Ratwatte is involved in the murder of
Kumar Ponnambalam. Mahen
Ratwatte's lawyer, Mahendra Dias, on January 31, 2002 wrote to The
Sunday Leader denying his
client's involvement in this case.
Sugath
Ranasinghe, first suspect in the assassination of Kumar Ponnambalam
after trying to broker a deal with SSP Bandula Wickremasinghe and OIC
Nuwan Wedasinghe as revealed in this taped conversation, has instead
been let down by the cops he trusted who promised to save him by
promoting him as state witness in this crime.
Two
days before Mahen Ratwatte got his lawyer to write on his behalf to The
Sunday Leader, Ranasinghe
has in a sworn affidavit attempted to remove all blame from Mahen
Ratwatte and gone so far as to say that SSP Bandula Wickremasinghe is
trying to sling mud on Mahen Ratwatte for political gain.
The
fact that Mahen Ratwatte has got his lawyer to write to us professing
his innocence in the murder of Kumar Ponnambalam, with an attached copy
of Sugath Ranasinghe's affidavit, also proclaiming Mahen Ratwatte's
non-involvement in this crime only further implicates Mahen Ratwatte's
connection to the key suspect in this murder.
Below
is the full transcript of the telephone conversation between OIC Nuwan
Wedasinghe and Reserve Police constable Sugath Ranasinghe, of No. 27/28,
Abhayarama Lane, Thimbirigasyaya revealing not only Ranasinghe's
involvement in this crime but Mahen Ratwatte too whom the killers
reported to directly after the shooting.
Voice:
Hello, good evening.
OIC
Nuwan Wedasinghe (W) : Good evening, can you call Ranasinghe for a
moment ?
Voice:
Yes, hold on please.
W:
Right, thank you. (A little later), Hello.
W:
Hello, Ranasinghe, Wedasinghe here.
Sugath
Ranasinghe (R) : Sir.
W:
Ranasinghe, after your note (satahana),
yesterday I spoke with Master (mahaththaya). Is it all right for
you to talk now?
R:
Yes sir, go on.
W:
I told Mr. Bandula Wickremasinghe that you are doing this because I'm
known to you personally, right!
R:
Sir, (in a low voice not very clear) I don't like them, Dhammika is
here ...... (inaudible)
W:
Is he there now?
R:
Yes
W:
No. Keep it a full secret.
R:
Sir (inaudible)
W:
Right, right.
R:
I don't like to be (inaudible) them Sir.
W:
Yes, I know about you. Is he ....
R:
Yes (inaudible)
W:
You must keep them in full confidence. I'm not going to do anything.
I'll
call you as Senaka. Ask them to call you to the phone when a friend
named Senaka is calling, right?
R:
(inaudible)
W:
No, we won't be a problem to those gentlemen. By the way, Master said
something fine.
R:
What is it, Sir?
W:
If you come, but don't entrust it to anyone else, right? Come to me and
talk. Master said that CIS would be granted and that you will not be in
this, instead you will be an informant and made a state witness.
R:
Oh sir, my job. It will be a shame to lose my job again.
W:
No, no, being a state witness will not affect your job. Do you
understand what I say?
R:
Sir, I may lose the money that is due.
W:
At the same time, master said that you will be given Rupees five lakhs.
....
R:
It's of no use (inaudible)
W:
I'm telling you the truth. Master asked me yesterday to talk to you.
R:
Master spoke with me yesterday. The way he talks ...
W:
I will listen first and then ask Master to speak with you today right?
Then he himself can tell this. He said that you will be made a state
witness right away. Then you'll only have to tell the same story again,
from the very beginning. How Kumar Ponnambalam got set (friendly) with
you. Oh, Master wanted to know yesterday how you met him for the first
time, Ranasinghe.
R:
Sir, I have already told you; through a woman.
W:
Oh that Seetha, isn't it so?
R:
Yes sir.
W:
For the first time through her, isn't it?
Where was she then?
R:
This woman name Seetha?
W:
Yes.
R:
She was with Anura Aiya. This Seetha goes with MPs and ministers. When
introduced he said, 'Of course I will take her.'
W:
Kumar Ponnambalam said that he will take her! How long ago was it?
R:
Over one and half years ago, may be two years ago.
W:
For how long after that did you meet them? Who are the other known
persons you have met with her? Have you met anyone else with her?
R:
No sir.
W:
You were alone when you spoke with her?
R:
Yes sir.
W:
Right, right, Master said that you have to say that you were called
Shantha and was asked to do .... You didn't shoot him, did you?
R:
No sir.
W:
So you have to say that you did only this. Sam and the others are
already caught, so there is no problem about proof. Believe me
Ranasinghe, you have only to tell the story how it happened. You can
tell Master everything clearly when he calls. What was the time then
Ranasinghe? When Master asked, I couldn't remember.
R:
About eight thirty (not clear)
W:
Did Kumar Ponnambalam call you? When was it?
R:
Sir, about five or six the previous day evening.
W:
Did you tell him that you were coming?
R:
Yes, I told him that I'll be there the following day.
W:
He doesn't know your name is Ranasinghe, does he?
R:
Sir?
W:
Hello, he doesn't know you as Ranasinghe, but only as Shantha?
R:
Yes sir.
W:
Who else knows this name?
R:
Mr. Balapatabendi's son knows, and a few other gentlemen also know.
W:
So only they know it and that's not a problem. It won't affect your
job. I told Master that you have told me the day before that you haven't
earned any money and that your job is the only thing you have, with
these happenings even that is at risk!
R:
I am doing about ten jobs Sir, security. Anura Aiya Sir, borrowed Rs.
2,000 from me and already owes me Rs. 7,000. When I asked it back he has
given only Rs. 500 and I sent it back to him.
W:
Is it true?
R:
They are of no use sir.
W:
Why should he ask it, he is crazy.
R:
No sir, Rs. 7,000 is due to me. Even my wife knows that. When I needed
the money I asked him and he had sent Rs. 500.
W:
Ammata - (slang)
unbelievable.
R:
Sir, that day I went to (name inaudible) when you also came to that
place.
W:
Yes, yes...
R:
He said that my behaviour was not good that day and that I had taken
some photographs with them? He scolded me and I scolded back saying that
it is his wife who drank Arrack and misbehaved. We had an argument sir,
I scolded him. If I had not done anything wrong why should I fear him
sir!
W:
Yes, it's true. By the way Master is somewhat puzzled over how you went
to Wellawatte.
R:
(Inaudible).. honestly, Sir..
W:
Yes, the truth, when Master asked I too was a bit confused. That old
man, when you went there who opened the gate for you?
R:
I knocked saying I'm Shantha. The man went in and came back to let me
in.
W:
Then ..?
R:
Then he (Kumar Ponnambalam) said, 'Good Morning' and asked me to sit
saying that he'll be back in a minute. He did return in less than five
minutes.
W:
He came back dressed and the two of you went out by car?
R:
Yes.
W:
When did you take the call?
R:
Sir, I think I had called him early in the morning'... (inaudible)
W:
No, no, on your way in the car?
R:
On my way Sir (not clear) may be after nine or maybe at about 8.50 sir,
I cant' remember the exact time we stopped at ...... (place not clear)
and I took the call.
W:
Whose phone did you use?
R:
His phone sir.
W:
Kumar Ponnambalam's, you don't remember the number, do you?
R:
No, sir, I can check my books.
W:
I'll call you tomorrow too in the evening.
R:
Sir, please sir (not clear, pleading) I have two children...
W:
No, no, you know me well, don't you Ranasinghe? You can trust me. I'm
doing this because you have confided in me.
R:
This other thing sir, if you want it done..
W:
We'll set that too. I'll tell Master.
R:
(Inaudible) .. vehicle
W:
What? A Dolphin! A Toyota Corolla! 301 .. what colour is it.?
R:
White (not clear)
W:
301-3104 - Do all of them travel in it?
R:
Only he (inaudible) ... men with weapons (not clear) altogether
about six are there.
W:
Who else is there with him?
R:
Inaudible
W:
OK, right, right.
R:
(Not clear) may I go out and call you sir?
W:
When?
R:
About 6.
W:
Is it difficult to talk now? Are they all hanging around? Is it a
government building?
R:
They have telephone lines (not clear)
W:
Then it's better to call from another place. By the way Ranasinghe,
Master wanted to know what happened after the car stopped there. Why did
it stop at that particular place?
R:
Sir, (not clear)
W:
Ramakrishna Mawatha, isn't it?
R:
Yes sir, he said, 'let's wait here for the others to come' and
I said, 'Ok.' Then seeing
a woman he turned into the middle road.
W:
Or else you were to drive straight?
R:
Yes Sir, to that place Sir. He had given an order, he phoned and
said Sir..
W:
To whom?
R:
I don't know that Sir, he spoke in Tamil.
W:
He spoke in Tamil and said he is there at Ramakrishna Road?
R:
Yes, Sir and then he turned into that road. He said about that woman'How
is she? Isn't she beautiful?' I have already asked them to come, Sir.
W:
You knew that they were following you?
R:
Yes Sir, I saw that the men were there.
Then I asked him to wait till I talk to them.
W:
And he was watching the back?
R:
Yes, Sir, he was watching ahead and they came from behind.
W:
Then did you talk to them?
R:
No, Sir I asked him to wait for a while at the turn and went away
when I saw our men...
W:
Who came? Saman and who
else?
R:
(Silence)
W:
Who was the other one .. Sujith?
R:
Yes, Sir.
W:
Who shot him?
R:
Both did Sir.
W:
How? Browning or (not clear)
R:
(inaudible)
W:
I think it's a pistol.
R:
No, Sir, both. A
Browning and .38
W:
Is it a Browning?
R:
(not clear) ..Mahathaya's..
W:
Yes, that's what I wanted to know and intended to ask you today.
Is it possible to see the place?
R:
(Inaudible)
W:
Right, right. So all of you
just walked on or did you go the other way?
R:
No, they ran Ñ they panicked and got frightened.
W:
Fools. They were afraid to come.
R:
Yes Sir, afraid. Then it was I who after half way remembered the
cell phone. They first went
to meet Ratwatte Mahathaya.. They
went and told him ..only then I remembered the cell phone.
Afterwards I came back alone I said I will go and bring the
cell phone.
W:
Right away?
R:
About half an hour went Sir, because we went to Bambalapitiya
first. These people were afraid to come back. However I went ..I said
that I will bring it back alone.
W:
You took it in a jiffy? Was
it in the pocket?
R:
Yes, the top pocket.
W:
They thought that you picked the chain. What did he say?
R:
He started an argument with me about taking it and I said that I don''t
do such dirty things.
W:
Ranasinghe, do you think that the cell (phone) would still be at that
place? Shall we check just
in case? Can you tell the
exact place?
R:
The bridge.
W:
Is that the bridge to the left once you pass the checkpoint and drive
straight?
R:
It's the bridge which is being built when you go past the CR
towards my house. It is to
the left from the CR. And to the right from my house about 10 feet.
W:
The right side from CR? Did
you drop it from the middle of the bridge?
R:
Yes, Sir.
W:
It should be there, shouldn't it?
R:
Can't say, Sir, might be there.
W:
Oh, there is another thing. A call came to Master later asking him not
to pursue this matter as it was done by the Army. Who do you think did
that?
R:
No Sir, I've no idea. I
saw it in the newspapers about some Ranabahu something..
W:
Yes, I too saw that. Don't
know what it is, do you?
R:
I don't know (inaudible).. When someone from the government or
opposition, if something happens.. (not clear) why should I lie to you
Sir, they will say in newspapers that each one of us gets Rs. 5 lakhs,
that's what they told us. (Not clear)
W:
Did you do this to settle a personal grudge?
R:
No Sir, nothing personal. I
don't even know him well. He
had scolded us ....
W:
By us, you mean the Sinhalese?
R:
Yes, he scolded the Sinhalese and appeared for any Tamil in
courts, they told me this. The bosses told us to do whatever we think
best as they cannot come forward.
W:
Well, the biggest problem is that everyone seems to think that the
highest rankers in the government are responsible for this and it must
change. That is why Master
wants you to tell what really took place. We won't beat you but you may
say that you had to reveal all details because we have beaten you up
badly and you couldn't bear it anymore. You may even pretend to limp
when someone comes. Then it's over. And that talk about money is real,
right? Would you like to
speak with Master? Even the money thing is true.
R:
(not clear) OK sir.
W:
You stay right there and I'll ask him to call you if he's at home,
now. You need not take the call but he will.
R:
They are here now. The
Army men have come in and police too?
W:
Do they come to rest and ....(not clear)
R:
Yes.
W:
Are they Army of police guards?
R:
Yes, they are Army guards.
W:
Which area does this vehicle mainly haunt?
R:
Kandy (Inaudible)
W:
In Kandy? Not the other side?
R:
Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.
W:
Is that vehicle there now? When it leaves give me a call.
R:
Yes.
W:
Are all of them there? On one hand it is good.
R:
Sir, (inaudible) they must be got rid of..
W:
Yes, Yes, I know. Do you
know Kumar Ponnambalam's son?
R:
No, Sir.
W:
You havenÕt met anyone else (of the family) there?
R:
No, Sir.
W:
Are you sure?
R:
Honestly, Sir.
W:
How many times have you been to his place?
R:
Four times Sir.
W:
By the way what's the colour of the shirt?
R:
Light blue.
W:
Right, light blue. I said
that it was blue but Master said that it was light blue.
R:
I gave that shirt as a present to someone right away, Sir.
W:
No! Where is the pair of trousers?
R:
With me, Sir.
W:
Yesterday, did you think about what you should do?
R:
Well Sir, I haven't even told my family that you've spoken to me.
W:
Yes, don't tell anyone but keep it a secret. Master has 100% trust in
you Ranasinghe. I too have worked with him for many years and have told
him at the beginning that I'll...
R:
(Not clear)
W:
OK, I'll look into that. You
know me well.
R:
Sir, Nawala Nihal and Leslie Fonseka say that they're related to Mr.
Bandula Wickremasinghe.
W:
All utter lies. Master scolded in filth saying how can these paraiahs be
his relations..
R:
We know Sir, when we were young, they have stolen from the food stores
and sold outside to become rich.
W:
They're crazy. They say these things, to win respect of big shots.
R:
I have told you the truth Sir, I have children, please don't put me in
trouble.
W:
No, Ranasinghe, don't you trust me? You know that I don't say one thing and do another. You know
me well. I will save you,
but I won't say that I'll save all the others.
R:
I trust you Sir, they say that you are good Sir.
W:
I've spoken to Master on the word that I've given you. We do it only
if it is possible. Then Master said that he can promise Rs. 5 lakhs to
you when you are made a witness for the State.
R:
Is it true Sir? I don't want 5 lakhs but 2 is enough.
W:
Yes, of course, there are no two words. Do you know why? There have been
ugly rumours internationally about the highest authority's connection
to this.
R:
Madam..(not clear)
W:
Yes.
R:
Then I will admit it Sir. If the LTTE is like that, we all are not
people without backbones. I will say everything.
W:
You only have to tell what happened. We have to save the government or
else a bad name will be given. We have made inquiries day and night.
R:
I will talk Sir, but will I have to face threats from the LTTE after my
release Sir?
W:
If so, we'll send you abroad.
R:
Will I be given a weapon Sir?
W:
Either that or else you will be sent abroad by the government. I'll
speak to Master about it. Then it's over.
R:
Please, Sir, don't kill us as they did during the UNP regime.
W:
Are you crazy? I wouldn't even talk to you like this in that case..
R:
I was frank with you Sir, trusting you.
W:
I know. Continue to trust me.
R:
I have a son and a daughter, Sir.
W:
I know. Don't tell anyone and don't talk to anyone. If you can stay
where you are for ten minutes I'll ask Master to ring you and then
you'll
be able to hear everything from him.
R:
If you say so I can call him Sir. It will be difficult to answer him
when there are others around.
W:
I'll tell Master that it's difficult for you to answer him and not to
ask any questions.
R:
Tell him that I'll call from outside.. OK, Sir.
W:
From where does Kumar Ponnambalam get his women?
R:
They are Tamils mainly from Jaffna.
W:
How does he do that?
R:
I've no idea Sir. I wanted
to find out but when I mentioned this to a couple of our bosses they
asked me to mind my own business as we cannot change the world.
W:
He couldn't do anything else could he?
R:
No sir.
W:
He made others do it.
R:
And watched it.
W:
Have you seen him watching?
R:
Sir, he had told me that he couldn't do it and had to watch it.
W:
Through that he gets satisfaction.
R:
Yes sir, I'm sure that cell (phone) must be there.
W:
What is this CR bridge really?
R:
Sir, when you're coming past the SLRC towards ..
W:
Then you find the check-point and turn right.
R:
To the left.
W:
First to the right and then to the left.
R:
Yes Sir, maybe about 10 feet to the right.
W:
Did you walk down to throw it?
R:
No sir, I threw it from the bridge.
W:
Did you stand on the middle of the bridge to drop it ?
R:
I threw it slyly while travelling in a three-wheeler with four others
and they did not even know.
W:
The water doesn't flow fast there, does it? Is it quite deep?
R:
Maybe sir, they have dug it (the river bed)
W:
Then it may not be there, where did it flow down to?
R:
It won't go Sir because of the mud.
W:
How can I identify it? What colour is it and what make?
R:
Nickel colour sir, Nokia.
W:
How many inches is it long?
R:
There's a piece to pull out at the bottom and it comes out.
W:
What do you mean by coming out?
R:
There's a piece like a mouth-piece which can be pulled out.
W:
When one wants to talk, one has to pull that piece down? What's the
colour of the buttons?
R:
You have to pull that piece down in order to press the buttons.
W:
So the buttons are not visible when the piece covers them?
R:
Yes sir, lead or Nickle piece covers them, it's like a cover.
W:
What's the colour of the outer covering?
R:
Black/ash sir.
W:
Now Ranasinghe, you have to make up your mind. Don't think of anything
else. Shall I ask Master to call you now? Can you be there?
R:
Yes sir, there are people here.
W:
I'll ask him to just talk to you. I'll tell him that you cannot say
much as there are other people around. I may give you a call tomorrow.
Don't be afraid of anything but have complete faith in me. If I'm
doing it I'll tell you directly, Ranasinghe, don't get caught. If you
do I'll do this to you, right? I have spoken with you at least a day
and what is more you're a policeman. I'm doing it for a policeman. It's
natural for people to have different feelings, OK!
We can't help it. By the way who was that other RPC man?
R:
He is one Azad.
W:
Where is he now (not clear) what's his connection? Does he supply women
to him?
R:
No Sir, he is given women, I know of one such instance from Killinochchi.
W:
Who, Mr. Ponnambalam?
R:
Yes sir.
W:
He gives and watches him?
R:
Yes sir.
W:
OK, shall we ask him later about this? Not now.
R:
Yes sir, not now but later.
W:
Then will you wait right there while I ask Master to call you OK?
R:
Yes Sir, and ask him to say that specially.
W:
Yes I will, stay there. OK hello, Ranasinghe, I won't be in the police
station tomorrow as I have to go out. If you want to speak to me ask
(name) to give the message to Senaka?
R:
OK sir, thank you.
Female
voice: Hello.
W:
Good morning madam, is sir there?
Voice:
Yes, hold on please.
Master:
Hello.
W:
Good evening sir, OIC calling from Kataragama. I called that man just
now, sir, and got it done the way you wanted. He is afraid of you, sir.
Now he is there, sir, can you ring him up now?
Master:
What is the number?
W:
Dial this number sir, 08 223993. Sir, cannot say much as the place is
crowded. He has given some valuable information sir, Dhammika is there
too.
Master:
In that house?
W:
He will support us to catch Dhammika and if caught asked him to be done
that work. He gave information about the vehicle too. I did not go to
the police station, there's only one line sir, but speak from a private
residence. Can you call him now sir?
Master:
on 223993 .?
W:
Yes sir, 223993, 08 Kandy Sir.
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